Success in any sport requires preparation and the ones who prepare ahead usually succeed (looking at you, Mercedes). This is what Red Bull and McLaren are thinking, as Formula 1 is set to welcome an automobile giant as an engine manufacturer in the future: Volkswagen.

But there’s a catch here.

It’s not Volkswagen but rather its two subsidiaries, Audi and Porsche, who will be ‘re-entering’ the sport.

The German company is expected to make a decision in a meeting scheduled for November. After green-lighting the project, Volkswagen will announce its commitment to enter Formula 1 in 2026.

But according to F1-Insider, that decision is almost certain, with Volkswagen already gearing up for the move.

Recently, Audi boss, Markus Duesmann, hired BMW’s Adam Baker as “manager for special tasks.”

And as things stand currently, Porsche is set to partner with Red Bull while its sister team Audi will partner with McLaren.

Red Bull not that reliant on Volkswagen

Even though Volkswagen will develop an engine in line with the 2026 regulations, Red Bull will still remain independent and relatively unchanged in terms of ‘foreign’ reliance.

Red Bull can rely on their new in-house PU project, the Powertrain Project, as they take over engine duties from Honda next season. Helmut Marko also confirmed that their team is self-reliant before they involve any partners.

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“We first want to make sure that we can stand on our own two feet with our ambitious project, but if partners want to join us, they are of course welcome.” (Translated via Google Translate)

Red Bull and McLaren no strangers to Audi and Porsche

Both Red Bull and McLaren have been preparing for this ‘anticipated’ move for quite some time. Last month, it was revealed that former Head of Mechanical Engineering, Ben Hodgkinson will be the new Technical Director of the Powetrain Project.

McLaren Team Principal Andre Seidl has also known key figures like Duesmann and Baker. And he has not only worked as an engineer at BMW, he was also the Project Manager with Porsche in their Le Mans victory.

Volkswagen and Formula 1, for each other

So, it’s fair to say that Volkswagen’s arrival in Formula 1 has been well planned out and thought out from every possible angle. And it’s only right that it is so.

With Formula 1 heading into a new era in 2026, the major involvement of a brand like Volkswagen will not only help the sport, but the German brand will also reap rewards with its involvement in the pinnacle of motorsports.

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